Legal Studies

The legal studies/paralegal program prepares students fora career in various capacities to perform specifically delegated
and substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Skill sets acquired by student paralegals include interviewing,
investigation, legal research and preparation of legal
documents.

You Will Learn

The legal studies/paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and has just been recommended
for re-approval for a seven-year period. This program offers
training, internship opportunities and job placement for students
and graduates. In addition to the liberal core that offers critical
thinking and analytical skills, students receive education courses
that enhance the professional skills necessary to legal professionals. The program curriculum includes a strong basis of legal specialty
courses that provide practical skills training. These skills are
sought after by many employers. Paralegals are well prepared to
attend law school as well as work in a wide variety of legal
settings, law and related jobs.

You Will Experience

An internship is required of legal studies/paralegal students.
The location of the University, in the heart of the Erie legal
community, makes it possible for students to experience internship
opportunities in a wide variety of settings. Students experience
the work of a paralegal or attorney in settings that include:

banks

corporations

courts

insurance companies

law firms

real estate offices

You Will Achieve

Such opportunities include, but are not limited to, the following:

banks

district attorney

hospital administration

insurance companies

judge's tipstaff

private investigator offices • public defender

real estate sales/property management

law firms

You will Study

Students can choose from three programs within the legal
studies/paralegal program, which include a bachelor's degree
program, an associate degree program or a certificate program.
Legal studies/paralegal majors take various core and elective
courses including:

LEGL 212: Legal Research and Writing II

This course includes advanced work in legal research
and legal writing. It introduces students to legal analysis
focusing on practical assignments, which examine in detail the
components of court opinions. The course emphasizes case analysis,
and the preparation of both informal and formal legal
memorandums.

LEGL 334: Public Records Research and Title Abstracts

This course studies the theory and practice of completing
courthouse civil and criminal records, research and real estate
title abstracts.

LEGL 343: Computers in the Law

This course is designed to introduce legal assistants and other
legal professionals to the use of computers in the legal field,
preparing them to use computer skills in the legal
environment.

Liberal Studies Core

The Liberal Studies Core Curriculum is one reflection of Gannon University's commitment to
its Catholic identity. The Core's design offers students a defined, integrated, shared
experience as the foundation for their undergraduate program.

You Will Earn

Salaries in the industry vary depending on the location and type
of organization.

Starting salary: $35,000

Mid-career salary: $53,000

For a current curriculum listing, visit
gannon.edu/academic-offerings
All salary information is compiled from data gathered from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) and/or PayScale
(payscale.com).